If you’re searching for “board and train dog trainers near me,” you’re likely looking for professional support that fits your location, lifestyle, and dog’s needs.
My board and train is intentionally small-scale, highly personalized, and behavior-driven. Your dog gets attention and real structure in a home setting.
Private Board and Train Dog Training in Chicago
Next available: March 2026
Overwhelmed with trying to fit training into your schedule?
The challenge isn’t caring or commitment. It’s finding the time and consistency to train every day while juggling work, family, and everything else life throws at you.
Board and train offers a way to get meaningful support during that phase.
While your dog receives structured, professional training, foundational skills and routines are established so things feel more manageable when the program ends.
There’s still follow-through involved once your dog is back in your care, but instead of starting from square one, you’re continuing work that already has momentum.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making daily life calmer, clearer, and easier to maintain.
How it works
Structure for rest, enrichment, and learning
Training isn’t just active work. Dogs make progress through a balanced routine that includes downtime, enrichment, and clear expectations—helping skills stick instead of burning them out.
Multiple, daily training sessions
Your dog works with me each day on skills that matter for real life—things like engagement, settling, leash behavior, and impulse control. Training is tailored to your dog, not a preset checklist.
Time to play, relax, and just be a dog
Board and train isn’t nonstop drills. In between training sessions, your pup gets time to play, lounge, and coexist with my resident dogs—learning how to settle, socialize appropriately, and navigate a shared home environment.
This real-life time helps training feel natural instead of forced.
Owner transfer sessions so you feel confident
Before the program wraps up, we’ll go over what your dog has learned, how to maintain progress, and what to expect moving forward, so training feels doable, not overwhelming.
What we can work on
Every dog has their own set of goals, but here are the most common asks from owners:
Crate Training + Alone Time Skills
We build independence gently so your pup can self-soothe instead of panic.
Potty Training & House Manners
Reliable schedules, routines, and prevention so your puppy stops guessing.
Impulse control and settling
Depending on your goals, we may work on things like place and settling skills, calmer door greetings, polite leash routines, and everyday ‘life skills’ that help your pup make better choices without constant micromanagement.
Leash Walking and Engagement
Teaching your pup to walk with you and check in for engagement in quiet and busy areas.
Jumping, counter surfing, and boundary setting
We focus on building habits that reduce jumping and overexcitement in everyday situations
Obedience Basics
Sit, down, stay, come, polite greetings, and more — all taught with positive reinforcement.
Does your dog have something else you need to work on?
How board and train translates back into daily life
Training during board and train is built around situations your dog will encounter at home: settling in shared spaces, responding around distractions, and moving through daily routines calmly.
Before your dog returns home, we’ll review what’s been worked on, what to expect during the transition period, and how to continue supporting progress in a way that fits your schedule.
You won’t leave with a long list of rules or commands to memorize. You’ll leave with clarity and a plan that feels manageable.
Program requirements
With a few resident dogs of my own, to keep this program effective, board and train in my home is a good fit for pups who:
Are comfortable around other dogs
Are under 40 lbs
Can safely share a home environment
These guidelines allow me to work with a very limited number of pups at a time and ensure each dog receives individualized attention, appropriate social exposure, and a calm, structured routine.
If you’re unsure whether your pup is a good fit, we’ll talk it through during a consultation.
Is board and train the right fit for your dog?
Board and train can be a really helpful option, but it’s not the right fit for every dog or every household.
It tends to work best when owners are looking for a strong foundation, clearer structure, or support with behaviors that are hard to address consistently at home.
It’s also a good fit if your dog benefits from predictable routines and one-on-one attention.
That said, some dogs do better learning entirely in their own environment, and some situations call for private lessons or a different pace altogether.
During a consultation, we’ll talk honestly about what makes the most sense for your dog—no pressure, no upselling. The goal is to choose the option that actually sets you and your dog up for success.
If you’re curious about board and train, let’s chat!
We’ll talk through what’s going on with your dog, what you’re hoping to work on, and whether this program feels like a good fit. I’m happy to answer questions, walk you through how it works, and be upfront about availability.
Don’t just take my word for it
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![Chihuahua working on confidence building in Lincoln Park]()
Hailey is so passionate about helping owners and their pets and she is so sweet and patient. She’s helped build confidence in my anxious little baby, and, even though she’s afraid of most people, my dog lovesss Hailey.
Megan Montgomery
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![Mini golden doodle practicing relaxation work]()
Hailey worked with my mini goldendoodle Murphy, who is the sweetest dog but had some resource guard issues that were starting to get tricky to manage. Hailey was incredibly knowledgeable and patient — not just with my dog but with me, too! I noticed a huge difference after just a few sessions. Thank you so much Hailey!!!!!
Jenna White
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Hailey is an extremely knowledgeable and compassionate dog trainer! Hailey’s best skill is her ability to meet dogs where they are at and then build deep trust to form behavioral changes. She has experience with all levels - eager puppy all the way to fearful, reactive adult.
Sarah Fitzpatrick
FAQs
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Program length depends on your pup’s needs and goals. During a consultation, we’ll talk through what’s going on and I’ll recommend a timeline that makes sense—without rushing the process.
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Nope! Board and train isn’t nonstop training sessions.
Your pup will have multiple short, focused sessions each day, balanced with rest, play, downtime, and normal home life. That balance is intentional—dogs learn best when training is paired with recovery and real-life practice.
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If your dog enjoys spending time with and playing with other dogs—yes! Your pup will spend time around my resident dogs in a controlled, thoughtful way. This helps them practice settling, social skills, and coexistence in a real home environment.
Interactions are always supervised and matched to your dog’s comfort level and behavior.
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Board and train builds strong foundations, not a finished product. If a trainer every tells you your dog will be “fixed” or “cured,” look elsewhere.
Your pup will return with clearer skills, routines, and habits already in place. There is still follow-through involved at home, but instead of starting from scratch, you’ll be continuing work that already has momentum—making daily life much easier to manage.
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Training is reward-based, humane, and leverage positive reinforcement. I’m aiming for skills that are reliable in real life and emotional responses that improve over time—not just “obedience” that falls apart the second things get distracting.
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You won’t be left guessing. I communicate throughout your dog’s stay and include owner transfer support before the program wraps up so you understand what we worked on, how to maintain it, and what to expect during the transition.
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Not always, and that’s okay! Some pups do better learning entirely in their own environment, and some situations are best supported through private lessons. During a consultation, we’ll talk honestly about what’s most appropriate for your dog.
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Schedule a consultation and we’ll talk through your dog’s history, your goals, and whether board and train feels like the right fit. From there, I’ll walk you through next steps and availability.